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5.30.2012

If you guys read my last post, you'll know that I fell head over heels in love with the new Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in the shade Rendezvous, so it should come as no surprise that I picked up a few more shades! I went with Cherish, a bubblegum pink, and Darling, a wearable lilac shade.

Cherish (left) and Darling

Cherish has medium pigmentation but is very buildable, much like Rendezvous, while Darling is a bit more on the sheerer side and can only really be built up to medium-ish coverage on the lips. On my pigmented lips, the rosiness of my lips still peeks through. And the stain that I'm left with from Darling seems to be pinker than the initial color immediately after application, almost as if the lilac tones have worn off. Still very pretty though! And just like Rendezvous, these are really moisturizing and comfortable to wear, and the stain looks very natural and not flakey or dry at all :)

Ever since I picked up my first two Burberry eyeshadows in the shades Pale Barley and Almond and become more or less obsessed with them, I've been wanting another. The choice of shade was an easy one, as it's a much hyped about eyeshadow, and Midnight Brown was quickly added to my collection. It's a gorgeous, rich brown with subtle, illuminating shimmer throughout. The texture and formula is soft, but never powdery, and it applies ridiculously smoothly and has extraordinary staying power for a powder shadow, much like Pale Barley and Almond. I was not disappointed in the least. I'm thinking Rosewood may have to be next....thoughts??

Midnight Brown

I actually purchased the Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow in the shade Topaz a few weeks ago, but I figured I'd include it in this post since I haven't blogged about it yet. It's basically the Smashbox version of the MAC Paint Pots. Topaz is a beige with a touch of taupe, and it has a metallic finish. When I apply it to my lids using my ring finger and blend it out, the color appears much sheerer than what is shown in the swatch below. I find that it has better lasting power than MAC Paint Pots, although the consistency and the way it applies is pretty much exactly the same. I really like it so far, and I've been enjoying using it as an all-over lid shade and as a base - it looks especially nice when used under Burberry Pale Barley!

Topaz

Topaz applied on the lid as a base under Pale Barley

I recently asked people on twitter what foundation primer they suggested for oily skin, and MrsLisaP recommended the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Oil Free to me. After getting a sample from Sephora and giving it a try, I found that basically, it was awesome. I've only used it a handful of times, so I can't give it a true review just yet, but on the days when I've used it just on my t-zone, as the rest of my face is suffering from abnormal dry patches at the moment, it has helped my foundation to last much longer without breaking down due to the oils on my face, and I can go significantly longer without needing to blot. I obviously then ran out and purchased it :) Win!

And when I purchased the primer, I noticed that Sephora actually had a decent 100-point perk for once, and it's something that I've been curious to try for a while now too, so I'm extra excited! What do you guys think of Origins GinZing Eye Cream?

Have you guys tried any of these products? If so, how do you like them?

5.22.2012

I was at Target the other night (because it may or may not be like my second home), and I noticed that they just got the new Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in. Although I hadn't really been interested in them at all when I first heard about them, I am nothing if not a makeup addict, so of course, I chose a shade that stood out to me most and purchased it. I went home with Rendezvous, a bright tangerine-coral.

The balm stains are like the Tarte LipSurgence Lip Stains and the Clinique Chubby Sticks with their large pencil-like packaging that actually twists up at the bottom instead of needing to be sharpened.

As mentioned before, Rendezvous is a bright tangerine shade with a touch of coral, and it has no noticeable shimmer to me. It has a slightly minty scent that isn't nearly as strong as the Tarte LipSurgence line. I also don't get any sort of tingling sensation or anything like that once it's on my lips, so if you're lips are sensitive to things like that, rejoice! It has medium pigmentation that is super buildable with each additional swipe across your lips. The above swatches are all the same (I just randomly decided to do 3 swatches :-/) and show the color built up.

It has a really pretty, glossy finish initially upon application that wears away after a few hours, leaving a beautiful, natural-looking stain on the lips. The stain seems to settle into lip lines just barely, and it isn't drying at all, unlike the stains created by lip stain markers like the original Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains. I find that these are really moisturizing, both initially after application and once the glossiness has worn off and you're left with just the stain.

???

Also on my face:

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Real Sand

Dior Matte Bronzer in 002 Honey Matte

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

Smashbox Cream Eyeshadow in Topaz

UD Eyeshadow in Sidecar

Burberry Eyeshadow in Almond

This is the stain I'm left with!

Honestly, I freakin' LOVE this thing. I really love the color too. It's absolutely perfect for summer! I know a lot of you guys have been searching high and low for these babies, but to no avail. Rest assured, ladies! These are brand new, so I'm sure they'll be all over every Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc. in no time! Just gotta be patient :)

5.20.2012

I'd been loyal to my Dior Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer for a long time because I could always count on it to flawlessly mask my under-eye darkness, but when I ran out and was reminded of its $35 price tag, I was suddenly open to trying something new (and a bit cheaper), as I figured I could always go back to my trusty Dior if it didn't turn out well. The candidate that caught my eye the most while I was browsing the aisles of Ulta one day was Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer.

I have it in the shade Ivory, and I believe it cost about $8 at Ulta. It comes in a twist-pen packaging with a brush-tip applicator. When you twist the bottom of the pen, it releases the liquid concealer into the middle of the brush. I find that 3 clicks is perfect for covering both of my under-eyes.

Once the product is in the brush, I apply the concealer to my under-eye area directly from the brush. I then follow-up with my Illamasqua Blending Brush 2 to blend it all in, and lately, I've been setting it with Bare Minerals Well Rested.

BEFORE

AFTER

The above "After photo shows the concealer blended in by itself. It hasn't been set with Well Rested or any other powder yet. The concealer has medium to full coverage, but definitely not completely full. I like to use it on its own during the day, but if I'm going out at night, I typically use my Armani Master Corrector underneath this concealer in order to cancel out the darkness around my eyes completely.

I do find it to be quite brightening, but that may also be due to the fact that it's about one shade lighter than my skin tone. I usually wouldn't do that for a concealer I'm using on blemishes or redness, but for under-eye circles, I like to go just a touch lighter as long as it can still look natural. To be honest, assuming you buy a shade that matches your skin color exactly, I'm not sure what is supposed to be "highlighting" about this concealer.

I do experience a bit of creasing with this concealer (and every other concealer I've ever used under my eyes) when used on its own, but I find that setting it with a powder really helps it to last all day with very minimal creasing, even on my oily skin. The concealer itself isn't greasy at all, it feels light on the skin, and it blends with ease.

I would definitely recommend this concealer if you're looking for an affordable, drugstore option for use on under-eye circles/darkness. I'm often underwhelmed by the concealer choices available at the drugstore, which is why I usually stick to higher-end ones, but I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage, lasting power, and blendability of the DreamLumi concealer. If I absolutely had to choose, I'd still go for the Dior Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer for my under-eye area, but I definitely don't mind using this one up at all, especially when it costs less than 1/4 of the price!

Happy friday, everyone! I got a much needed trim today (goodbye, split ends!), and my hairdresser commented on how she really liked my unintentional ombre from dying my hair red-ish back in October then letting it grow out for the past 7 months...hee hee :D

Anyway, I'm about to get ready (outfit change!) to go out to dinner with some friends from back home. I'm excited for such a fun start to the weekend! What are you ladies up to?

I wore my HG foundation today, MUFE F&B in #20, because I knew I was going to be wearing it into the night and in case my friends and I were going to be taking any pictures with flash later, I didn't want to be wearing my tinted moisturizer or my mineral powder that both have SPF. I used my usual concealers, Maybelline DreamLumi Concealer in Ivory under my eyes (review coming this weekend!) and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3 on blemishes and redness. I sealed everything in with a dusting of Physician's Formula Happy Booster Translucent Powder.

For a touch of warmth, I used my Dior Matte Bronzer in 002 Honey Matte (swatch), and for blush, I used MAC Full of Joy (swatch), a cool-toned, pale, lilac-y pink.

On my eyes, I used TFSI first, then Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow (could the name be any longer?! Sheesh) in Topaz as a base. I have on Burberry Pale Barley on the lid and Burberry Almond in the crease (swatches for both can be found here). Almond has become my go-to crease shade recently! For highlight and in the inner corner, I'm wearing Bare Escentuals Nude Beach.

For liner, I'm wearing YSL Gel Liner in Bronze Black (swatch), and my mascara is a new discovery, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara. I got it free recently as a Sephora VIB perk, and I actually really like it! Ironically, although it's waterproof, I still get a tiny bit of smudging under my left eye (only my left for some reason, haha), BUT, it holds a curl like no other! And it comes off really easily with my Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. Love!

5.16.2012

If you guys have been following my blog for a while, you'll know that Dior is, hands down, my favorite luxury makeup brand ever. One of my favorite lipsticks of my entire makeup collection is their Addict Lipstick in the shade Singuliere, and prior to the fairly recent purchases seen in this post, it was also my only Dior lip product. I have since happily added to my Dior lip product collection :D

L to R:Addict Extreme lipstick in Plaza

Addict Extreme lipstick in Incognito

Addict lip balm in Crystal Coral

L to R:

Addict Extreme lipstick in Plaza

Addict Extreme lipstick in Incognito

Addict lip balm in Crystal Coral

L to R:

Addict lip balm in Crystal Coral

Addict Extreme lipstick in Incognito

Addict Extreme lipstick in Plaza

The Addict Extreme line is fairly new and boasts longer wear-time with "radiant shine." In all honesty, I don't find it much more long-wearing or the finish any shinier than the original Addict lipsticks. On me, the lasting power is similar to that of MAC lustres...in other words, nothing to write home about, but I don't mind. The pigmentation is somewhat on the sheerer side, but it can also be built up a considerable amount. Incognito is a mauvey-nude, while Plaza is your standard bright, medium-pink. These lipsticks are unscented, and neither of the shades I own have shimmer.

The lip balm in Crystal Coral is limited edition and is a peachy coral with pretty, soft shimmer that is just barely noticeable on the lips. It has a much more solid consistency than I was expecting, but I do find it to be quite moisturizing once on the lips, nonetheless. Keep in mind, though, that my lips haven't been suffering from extreme dryness or anything like that lately. It's also worth noting that it has a very strong rose scent, which I don't personally mind as I love rose scented things, but I could definitely see people not enjoying it quite as much as I do.

I'd say that if you're a fan of the original Addict line, you'll probably enjoy the Addict Extreme line as well, as they're very similar. My favorite of my new purchases, however, is the Crystal Coral lip balm. It's such an easy product to just throw in your purse and use throughout the day when your lips need a bit of moisturization (super dry/dehydrated lips will need a more moisturizing balm) and a pretty, sheer wash of color. It's my new go-to lip product!

Are you a fan of Dior lip products? If so, what are some of your favorites?